Illinois sportsmen take aim at exotics, gaining a new sport while helping to curb the population explosion.

TStorya By Mrgike Garethaus tinIn 20g 10, the DeApartmesnt of iNatuaral n One of thCe issueas with browfisp hing Photos By Gretchen Steele Resources and the Bowfishing Associa - tournaments is what to do with the tion of Illinois sponsored the first fish. Fish taken during the Director’s portsmen across Illinois have Director’s Shoot. The Spring Valley Shoot were processed into high-grade joined the fight against the tournament was held to promote the emulsion fertilizer. The same company spread of aquatic invasive sport of bowfishing and increase the that processed the fish for fertilizer can species. Bow anglers have been awareness of Asian carp. Conducted make a variety of tasty foods from fresh shooting fish for decades and in a “Big 6” tournament format, the Asian carp, as evidenced by the silver the introduction of Asian carp to Illinois grand prize was awarded to the per - carp fare available to tournament partic - Swaters has increased opportunities for son possessing the heaviest stringer of ipants and spectators. bowfishing. One shot at a time, bow - six silver carp. Even though many seasoned tourna - fishers are helping to remove invasive, ment bowfishers have elaborate boats aquatic species from Illinois waters. with generators and lights for night Bowfishers are playing an One may think bowfishers could not remove many fish, but a tournament important role in helping to remove held on the Illinois River in 2009 rough fish, including silver carp, removed more than 25,000 silver carp. from Illinois waters. ) . g n u o Y s i r h C y s e t r u o c s o t o h P (

May 2011 Outdoor Illinois / 5 Gearing up for bowfishing can be any public lakes allow bowfish - as simple as grabbing your bow, M ing, but before you head to your arrow, some line and a system to local lake for bowfishing, check the site-specific fishing regulations. reel in your fish. Some lakes are classified as two poles and line only, a regulation that prohibits the use of devices other than “I suggest people concentrate on fishing poles. To increase bowfishing smaller tributaries flowing into the opportunities, some lakes with this reg - Illinois River between the Fox River ulation have an exemption to allow and Peoria,” Devries said. “One also bowfishing. Even though a sportfishing license can increase their odds of finding Asian is required to bowfish, sportfish cannot carp fishing smaller tributaries from a be taken by bow. However, carp, carp - canoe or small boat.” suckers, shad, drum, buffalo, suckers, Having a fully equipped boat pro - gar (except alligator gar) and bowfin may be taken with a bow. Current fish - vides even more opportunities to bow - ing regulations can be found at www. fish for Asian carp. Devries splits the ifishillinois.org. Illinois River into two large segments, above the Starved Rock Dam and below the dam. The higher concentrations of RPM of the motor while the bowfishers silver carp are below the dam, and shoot from the front of the boat. While Devries encounters more bighead carp many of the Asian carp will swim next above the dam. to the boat, be prepared for large num - Members of the Bowfishing Associa - bers to take flight. Anglers can opt to tion of Illinois organization utilize three target either the swimming carp or basic techniques to harvest Asian carp those jumping out of the water. from the river. The last technique is to target big - The first technique is used during head carp and grass carp feeding near the day and involves having the driver grain docks. Slowly troll your boat with keep the outboard motor down as far as the trolling motor near feeding areas for it can go and positioning the bow carp, looking for carp feeding at the anglers at the back of the boat. As the surface. Devries noted that bighead boat driver varies the speed and RPM of carp do not like noise or bright lights fishing, a novice can walk the shoreline the motor, silver carp in the area will and suggested using DC lights instead and find plenty of Asian carp activity. begin to jump. If you are having trouble of lights from a generator. More details Ed Devries, from the Bowfishing picturing bowfishers shooting flying sil - of these techniques and areas to target Association of Illinois, said that begin - ver carp, think of skeet shooting on the Asian carp can be found on the Bow - ners can walk the shorelines near the water with a bow. fishing Association of Illinois Web page. smaller tributaries of the Illinois River A similar technique can be used at Asian carp are not the only exotic and have plenty of chances to shoot night utilizing lights to illuminate the carp found in Illinois. The common Asian carp. water. The driver varies the speed and carp, found across the state, also is from Asia and competes with our native fishes. Bowfishing tournaments are held across the state on lakes to pro - mote the removal of common carp. The best way to learn how to bow - fish is to contact one of the bowfishing clubs in Illinois. There are at least three bowfishing clubs in Illinois: The Bow - fishing Association of Illinois, Illinois Bowfishers and the Bowfishing Associa - tion of Southern Illinois. Members of

Like other forms of fishing, bowfish - ing is a great way to introduce youth to an outdoor activity as old as the ages. 6 / Outdoor Illinois May 2011 species and is a perfect example of turning lemons into lemonade. As we struggle with the issues of invasive, aquatic species, sportsmen are finding ways to increase recreational opportunities in Illinois. If you see a lighted boat trolling the water at night or an angler carrying a bow on a boat, there is a good chance someone is tak - ing part in an effort to remove an exot - ic species from our waters.

Mike Garthaus is a DNR district fisheries biologist and based in Gibson City. He can be reached at mike.garthaus@illinois. gov or (217) 784-4730 ext. 232.

Bowfishing tournaments are Illinois River, the tournament has becoming popular activities on turned into a world-famous event. Instead of using a bow for harvesting Illinois’ rivers and lakes. the fish, a dip net is used. Since silver carp take sail, tournament participants these clubs are eager to share their catch the fish on the fly with a dip net, equipment and knowledge about bow - but only one hand-held dip net is fishing. For the competitive type, each allowed per participant. Tournament of these clubs also hosts tournaments rules do also allow keeping fish that on lakes and rivers in Illinois. land in the boat. A helmet is recom - With the assistance of the bowfish - mended as numerous silver carp can be ing clubs, in 2010 DNR implemented airborne at once. Granted, the Redneck state records for spear and bowfishing. Fishing Tournament is more about Thirteen fish species are recognized for recreation than removing Asian carp, spear and bowfishing state records, but but it has helped spread the word carp, gar and buffalo are the main fish about the impacts of aquatic invasive groups targeted. The current state records and eligible fish can be found Only carp, carpsuckers, shad, at www.ifishillinois.org/awards/bow_ drum, buffalo, suckers, bowfin table.html. The Redneck Fishing Tournament and certain species of gar may be held at Bath on the Illinois River has taken with a bow. taken another approach to removing ) . s n o

Asian carp. Started in 2005 as a result of r I n i v frustration with silver carp invading the e K y s e t r u o c o t o h P Learn more ( o learn more about bowfishing, T contact one of these Illinois organizations: Bowfishing Association of Illinois: illinoisbowfishing.net Illinois Bowfishers: illinoisbow fishers.com Bowfishing Association of Southern Illinois: http://ultimateout doorsnetwork.com/basi For details on the annual Redneck Fishing Tournament, visit www.red neckfishingtournament.com. May 2011 Outdoor Illinois / 7